Match Report | 6th March 2009 » Sheffield Scimitars 5-4 Guildford Flames

Face Off: 5.30pm, Sunday 22nd February 2009

22.2.09

A fantastic 4 point weekend for the short-benched Scimitars after a 10-6 goal fest in Telford on Saturday and a tough 5-4 home win against the League leaders on Sunday in front of another good crowd. The Scimitars win allowed Milton Keynes to slide up to the top of the League, overtaking Peterborough and Guildford for the first time.

Sunday's game was an unexpected barnstormer, especially after Guildford went 2-0 up inside 2.24 mins, courtesy of a deflected shot by Rick Plant at 1.42 and a puck lifted high into the top of the net by an unmarked Lucas Smital on the back post at 2.24. After the 16 goal game the previous night, thoughts of another goal fest were high on the mind.

However, the Scimitars dug deep with some good offensive play resulting in the confidence boost of a powerplay goal at 9.49 by Iain Bowie, plus some great saves by Paul Jones in net. Joe Watkins also thwarted some excellent chances from all Sheffield lines too and the score could have been more for both teams than the 1-2 at the end of the first period.

Watkins made another great save to prevent a almost certain goal by Joakim Millqvist at the beginning of the second but did not save the next attempt in a goal mouth scramble by Matt Haywood and Robert Farmer at 21.57 for a 2-2 equaliser. A good chance of taking the lead during a 5-on-3 Scimitars powerplay was not to be as Guildford were able to clear their zone repeatedly. Some niggles developed between players, particularly Zavoral and Steve Duncombe and they both went to the box to cool off at 32.09, James Goodman and Foremsky followed at 35.55 for roughing. The Scimitars had really increased the tempo in the second and were looking hungry for the win in front of a large noisy crowd.

The Scimitars carried this on in the third and whilst Ryan Handisides was sitting out a hooking penalty, Millqvist combined well with Simon Butterworth for a shorthanded go-ahead goal at 43.09. Then it was Robert Farmer who beat Dixon down the boards to fire a bullet of a goal into the top corner at 46.31. A tripping penalty on Foremsky at 47.35 was perfect timing for the Scimitars, and Bowie took full advantage by looping the puck into the back of the net at 48.34.

Despite a 5-2 scoreline, the game was far from over as Guildford, desperate to keep their title hopes alive, evaded Sheffield's defence to score a short-handed goal at 53.29 by Melicherik. This was followed within a minute by Smital from a doubly-deflected shot take the score to 5-4. Guildford regained their momentum briefly but could not find the equaliser despite pulling the goalie, and the Scimitars gained a well-deserved 1st win over Guildford this season with Steve Duncombe being picked as MOM in a great team effort.

Game Details
Period Scores
Sheffield 1 - 1 - 3 = 5
Guildford 2 - 0 - 2 = 4
Penalty Mins
Sheffield 0 - 4 - 6 = 10
Guildford 2 - 12 - 6 = 20
SOG
Jones 15 - 10 - 14 = 39/4
Watkins 11 - 10 - 15 = 36/5

Scoring Details
Sheffield: Bowie 2+0, M. Haywood & Farmer 1+1, Millqvist 1+0
Sikl 0+3, Butterworth , Duncombe & Shudra 0+1
MOM: S. Duncombe
Guildford: Smital 2+0, Plant & Melicherik 1+0, Zavoral 0+2, Liddiard, Lamey, Potts, Austin & Foremsky 0+1. MOM J. Watkins
Referee: D. Goodwin Linesmen: D. Boardman & L. Sewell
Attendance: 627
Icing: M. Haywood. Mark Lee
Not icing: Barron, Brittle, Gibson, L.Haywood
Penalties: Goodman, Handisides & Shudra - 2 mins Duncombe - 4 mins

Next Match Report: Peterborough Phantoms 9-1 Sheffield Scimitars
6th March 2009
Previous Match Report: Telford Tigers 6-10 Sheffield Scimitars
6th March 2009

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